In today's issue:

-Meet our adoptable dog of the day

-Enjoy a laugh with our dog meme of the day

-Get great information in our featured article

-Take our action of the week

-Check out our family photo of the day

Join our Facebook group - Post Your Pooch!

$7,000 for one pet surgery. Would your budget survive it?

Vet costs have climbed fast, and the numbers catch most pet owners off guard. Common procedures now run up to $7,000, and a serious diagnosis like cancer can climb past $10,000. Pet insurance exists for exactly these moments, with some plans reimbursing up to 90% of the bill and coverage starting around $10 a month. I Love Every Dog readers can use Money's guide to compare the top-rated options and lock in a plan before the emergency, not after.

Compare 2026's best pet insurance plans on Money.com

Why Dogs Scratch the Ground Before Laying Down

I'm sure you've seen it. Your pup walks onto a perfectly soft bed, spends a moment intensely digging at the fabric, circles around two or three times, and finally curls up with a heavy sigh.

It’s an adorable, slightly goofy habit, especially when they are scratching at a pristine microfiber sofa or a hardwood floor that isn't going anywhere. But why do dogs feel compelled to "land-prep" their sleeping spot?

Channeling Their Inner Wild Ancestor

Long before dogs had plush orthopedic beds, memory foam, and cozy fleece blankets, their ancestors slept outdoors in the wild. Surviving the elements required a little engineering.

In nature, scratching the ground served several crucial survival functions:

• Temperature Control: In hot weather, digging away the sun-baked topsoil exposes the cooler, damp dirt underneath. In cold weather, digging creates a shallow pit that shields the dog from biting winds and helps trap body heat.
• Clearing the Bed: Before lying down, a wild canid needs to clear away uncomfortable debris like sharp sticks, jagged rocks, or prickly thistles.
• Evicting Unwanted Guests: A quick paw-scrub helps flush out lingering insects, spiders, or snakes hiding in the grass or leaf litter.

Even though your pup’s current "wilderness" is a cozy living room, those deep-seated evolutionary instincts remain fully intact.

Leaving Behind a "Scent Stamp"

Dogs perceive the world primarily through smell, and their paws are powerful communication tools. Canine paws contain specialized scent glands located between the footpads.

When your dog scratches the floor or bed, they aren't just rearranging the surface—they are depositing their unique scent onto the spot. This subtle chemical signature acts as a visual and olfactory signpost that tells other animals, "This spot is taken, and it belongs to me." It’s the dog equivalent of putting a towel on a pool chair to reserve it.

Creating the Ultimate Nest

Beyond instinct and territory, scratching is simply about physical comfort. Just as humans like to fluff their pillows, flip to the cool side of the pillow, or adjust the duvet before settling in, dogs use their paws to shape their environment.

By scratching and circling, they mold the blankets or dog bed into a custom "nest" that supports their body, protects their joints, and makes them feel secure while they drop their guard to sleep.

When Should You Pay Extra Attention?

For the vast majority of dogs, pre-nap scratching is a completely healthy, happy behavior. However, it's worth keeping an eye out if you notice a sudden change in their routine:

• Obsessive Digging: If your dog scratches frantically for long periods without ever settling down, they might be experiencing anxiety, discomfort, or skin irritation.
• Joint Pain: Older dogs or those with arthritis might scratch or circle repeatedly because they are struggling to find a position that doesn't hurt their joints.

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• FI - Pet Supplements: Potential Salmonella Contamination
• Northwest Naturals - Chicken Recipe: Potential Salmonella and/or Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination
• Fromm - Wet Canned Dog Food: Potential Metal Contamination
• Oma's Pride - Canine Food: Contaminated with Salmonella
• Pedigree - High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor Wet Dog Food: Potential Plastic Contaminants

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We want to feature your pup!

We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.